Traffic sign hacked to say San Francisco is closed

Pranksters confused commuters in San Francisco by hacking into a Caltrans sign and reprogramming it to say the city is closed.

KGO

Thursday, May 15, 2014

SAN FRANCISCO (KGO) --

San Francisco is not closed, despite a sign's displayed message.

A high-tech highway prankster confused and amused commuters along Van Ness Avenue by saying the city is closed. The sign also offered some commentary on our recent heat wave by saying, "It's Too Damn Hot."

A technician eventually reprogrammed the sign and provided insight on this kind of hacking.

When asked how much experience one would need in order to reprogram it, Alan Beck with Premium Traffic Control Equipment answered, "Well yeah, you'd have to have a little bit of experience. It's really not that hard, it's self-explanatory. But if you're not familiar with it, it could be kind of tough. "

After a few keystrokes, the sign displayed the intended message -- that Van Ness Avenue will be closed at Grove Street from 6 a.m. to 11 a.m. Sunday morning for Bay to Breakers.